Posted 15 November 2023

Best Sat-Nav for a Minibus driver ?

Hi all,

My dad is a minibus driver, and he is currently struggling to use Waze/Google maps - because they route him through tiny streets for a car. Waze has no option for a van/minibus and I can't find something in google maps.

My dad is old school, and is dead set on purchasing a Tom Tom. We had one before (6 or 7 years ago) and it was a bit slow e.c.t

I think he'd probably need the Truck version of the Tom Tom, but I have no experience of this?

Any advice?
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  1. MonkeyMan90's avatar
    I am a truck driver and use the Garmin dezl580. I think there's some newer ones out now but regardless I would personally stick with Google maps/Waze.

    A truck satnav will not be beneficial because he is only driving a minibus so it is capable of going on any road in the UK. The only time you really need a truck sat nav is if you're driving anything bigger than a 7.5tonne vehicle.

    So he will not get directed any differently to Google maps or Waze. Even my truck satnav tries taking me on roads unsuitable for large vehicles. (edited)
  2. AdamBrunt's avatar
    You might want to check with TomTom what it classifies as a "Truck/lorry" i.e is it based on weight and/or length.

    They may consider a minibus to be no different to care and, so, getting the Truck maps he might end up being diverted well out of his way (due to, say, a bridge weight limit which doesn't actually restrict a minibus)
  3. fisco2001's avatar
    If he is old school then would go for Tom Tom Truck Go

    If willing to use phone then can get Tom Tom app from Google at £20 year ( has free trial as well if want to test it out ) (edited)
  4. Johnmcl7's avatar
    I have a Tomtom unit (non-truck one) and while I generally like it I don't find the device is any better at routing than Google Maps as it frequently tries to send me onto tiny back roads rather than stay on the main road. Oddly I had the original Tomtom XL which was much better at finding good routes and would keep you on main roads as much as possible.

    I've no experience of the truck version but certainly would recommend against the standard versions if he's needing better routes.
    AdamBrunt's avatar
    The routing algorithm is determined by the software based on the map being used.

    TomTom - unlike Waze/Google (as far I am aware) - produce different maps for trucks/lorries which block off certain routes for those vehicle types
  5. onitslastlegs's avatar
    If it's a 15 or so seater like a Transit, he doesn't need a specific satnav. Google maps is fine.
  6. Mendoza's avatar
    I don’t remember if they do sat nav, but roadking.co.uk might be worth a look
  7. Sandy1012's avatar
    Waze is the best
    bozo007's avatar
    Only if you are comfortable constantly turning into small lanes and roads. If I get into an Uber, I tell the driver to use Google Maps as that seems to suggest more conventional routes which are more comfortable for a passenger like me. I am fine if it takes a few minutes more.
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